Environeering

HIKING SAFETY TIPS

Shelter, food and water are life's most basic necessities, and things that are all too easy to take for granted. So much so that when it's time to get away from it all and disappear into the woods for a rejuvenating hike, it's easy to overlook your most basic needs.

Without proper planning and packing, even a short-day hike could turn into a potentially dangerous and unpleasant outing. So, before you brush off weekday stress and lace up your hiking boots, remember these few hiking safety tips:

1. Make a Gear List

Whether you're hiking for three hours or three days, you don't want to have an "uh-oh" moment on the trail, when you realize you've forgotten something important. Make a gear list before heading out to make sure you have everything you might need. The must-have list includes water, extra water, rain gear, proper hiking clothing, a compass, a map, a first aid box, toilet paper, and extra food.

2. Bring a Map

Of all the hiking safety tips, bringing a map is one of the most important. You should never rely solely on GPS technology, especially with limited service and unreliable battery power. Always pack a map, and if you're not sure how to read one, take some time to learn beforehand.

3. Hike During the Day

Whenever possible, plan to hike during the day; not only is it easier to get lost in the dark, but the region where you're hiking may be home to a variety of wild animals that come slinking out at night.
The best way to avoid being stuck out in the dark is to set a turnaround time. Regardless of how far you hike, you should stick to your predetermined time to ensure you finish hiking before the sun goes down.

4. Know the Area

Exploring new hiking trails is always exciting. Unfortunately, it also means you're unfamiliar with the territory. Before heading out, check regional hiking information for:

1. Local wild animals and what to do if you come across one.

2. Local poisonous plants—think poison ivy, sumac, oak.

3. Local hunting areas/seasons

4. Any and all hiking alerts

5. Hike in a group/ Let people know where you are.

In this day and age, it's risky hiking alone, if you do decide to go at it alone then let your family or friends know exactly where you are going to be, how long you’re going to be away, and when you are expected to return.

Hiking in groups is always a better and safer idea as there is safety in numbers, and emergency situations can be better handled, especially if you’re the one who got hurt.

You can find most of this information on regional government websites, or the site for the trail/mountain itself.

Happy Hiking!

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Stay safe and enjoy the week🤗

Cell Phone Workplace Safety Tips

Cell phones have become a part of our everyday lives. Almost every adult in modern cities owns at least one cell phone device. It has many purposes in our personal and working lives, however, along with the beneficial use of cell phones, also comes the non-beneficial and sometimes dangerous use of these device, especially in the workplace.

Below are some safety tips with regards to cell phone use in the workplace:

1. Vehicle operators
It’s proven that cell phone use, especially texting, takes away 60% of our concentration while driving on the road. Many accidents have occurred due to this, resulting in minor and major injuries, and even death. It's best to use a hands-free kit when driving or turn on the side of the road to take a call. Never text and drive!

2. Heavy workplace vehicles
The above-mentioned points apply the same for workers using heavy duty vehicles such as construction vehicles, workplace forklifts, cherry-picker trucks, tipping trucks, etc. These vehicles can cause much more damage than road vehicles.

3. Workplace Machinery
Just like the above, staff can get seriously injured when using their cell phones while operating and working on workplace machinery, especially if there are moving parts involved. Cell phones are predominantly not allowed when there is heavy machinery present, especially in noisy areas.

4. Working at Heights
Workers working on ladders, scaffolding, ropes, scissor lifts, roofs, etc. are not allowed to use cell phones! This work without the use of cell phones is already high risk, therefore using cell phones in these environments will only increase the risk of injuries and death.

5. Kitchens and Restaurants
Workers are not allowed to use cell phones in these areas due to two main reasons: (a) Working with hot or cold food and drinks while using a cell phone can be catastrophic. Workplace injuries such as burns, slips and trips, bumping into staff or guests, etc. can occur. (b) Hygiene risk! Staff often use their cell phones while in the toilet, wash their hands and then continue to use their phones while handling food. Bacteria from the toilets attach to their cell phones which can result in cross-contamination. Cell phones are also not allowed to be charged in the food making area.

6. General
Workplaces vary; therefore, employers should do a risk assessment of their specific workplace to determine where cell phones would be risky to use. Environeering recommends that a “cell phone safe place” be established on the premise for workers to use and that a cell phone policy is created and communicated to all staff and visitors. This is essential especially for high-risk workplaces.

For more info please do not hesitate to contact us: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

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Have an awesome week everyone and stay safe in the rain🤗

WORKING AT HEIGHTS SAFETY TIPS

Working at heights can result in numerous injuries like breaking bones, disabilities occurring, and even death, which can all occur when falling from a height. That is why it is important to have a safety system in place when working at heights such as on ladders, on the roof, on top of buildings, etc.

Below are some safety tips to help you when you are working at heights:

1. Plan your job first, don’t just start working at heights without mapping out the specifics.

2. Make sure you have the proper equipment: ladders, harnesses, lifelines, etc.

3. Inspect your equipment to make sure it is safe and that everything is in proper working condition.

4. Use proper safety clothing and equipment: overalls, safety boots, hard hats, harnesses, lanyards, safety lines, etc.

5. Have a Fall Protection Plan specific to the site: plan how you will do the job, check for any uneven surfaces that might topple your ladder/scaffolding, etc.

6. Train your staff on Working at Heights so that they know the correct safety procedures in order to minimize the risk of an injury occurring.

7. Do not work on heights during bad weather such as strong winds, ice on the roof, rain, etc.

8. Have a rescue plan in place, in case someone falls off the roof or a ladder and is dangling in the air in their harness.

9. Have a First Aider on site to take care of staff that might have fallen and injured themselves.

10. Always have two or more people on the roof or at the height, if one person falls then the others will know about it and they can call for help.

11. Have everyone wear a whistle or radio so that if someone falls off a secluded part of the roof, they will be able to alert their colleagues.

For more info, please contact us: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

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Environeering offers Health and Safety Services to hotels as well, such as Health and Safety training, Fire Fighting training, building audits, etc. For more info, please do mot hesitate to contact us at: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

OFFICE SAFETY TIPS

With their climate control, soft chairs, and armrests, office environments don’t conjure up thoughts of workplace hazards like, say, construction sites.

It is true that office workers are at a lower risk for workplace injuries than most, however, it is still important to talk about office safety with your employees.

Here are some office safety tips for you to follow:

1. Make sure your desk setup is ergonomic
To maintain a neutral posture, your head should be centered above your neck and shoulders, your wrists should be flat, and your elbows should be resting comfortably at your side. If your feet only touch the ground when you lean forward, use a footrest.

2. Take regular breaks to get up and move around
Sitting all day puts office workers at risk for numerous health problems, therefore it is best to take regular breaks to move around and stretch your muscles.

3. When the floor is slippery put a “slippery floor” sign by the wet area
Winter slips and falls in parking lots and offices are extremely common. To avoid them, walk like a penguin by walking with a flat foot and by taking short, slow steps. It is also important to wear sensible footwear and to only carry what you can handle.

4. Use a headset for prolonged or frequent phone use
Cradling the phone between your shoulder and ear can cause neck and back pain, so rather use a headset to avoid hurting yourself.

5. Keep your workplace tidy
Clean up spills immediately and avoid using liquids around electrical devices. Keep aisles free of clutter and tie up or secure cords so that they do not pose a tripping hazard.

6. Don’t let electrical cords create a fire risk
Avoid running electrical cords under carpets or through windows and doorways and do not fasten them with unapproved devices, such as staples.

7. Know your office emergency procedures
Make sure you know what to do in the event of a fire, a storm, a violent intruder, a medical problem, or any other emergency situation.

8. Have a Health and Safety team
Have Health and Safety Representatives, Fire Fighting Team members, and First Aiders trained to keep the Health and Safety standards of the office in place and to handle emergency situations.

For more info, please contact us: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

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Enjoy the rest of your week everyone🤗

Children's Home Health and Safety. Environeering does free and discounted services for Children's Homes and special needs schools like Autism Schools to keep them compliant to the local laws. Here's Environeering Owner Brent Lawrence holding one of the toddlers who didn't wanna let him go. 😊😊😊

ELECTRICITY SAFETY FOR KIDS

Electricity has been used by humans for over 100 years, but sadly our kids and adults are still involved in accidents from electricity that lead to minor and major injuries… worst of all death!

Below are some tips on how to use electricity safely and to watch out for potential hazards:

1. Never put fingers or other objects in an outlet.

2. Keep metal objects out of toasters.

3. Never use anything with a cord or plug around water.

4. Never pull a plug out by its cord.

5. Stay away from substations and power lines.

6. Don't climb on power poles.

7. Never fly kites near power lines.

8. Stay away from broken or fallen power lines.

9. Never touch or climb trees that are near power lines.

10. Never touch big, metal transformer boxes with warning signs.

11. Obey warning signs.

Childproofing your home

Keep curious kids safe from the temptation to stick foreign objects into outlets or plugs.

1. Unused wall outlets should be secured. Plastic inserts can be used but they can be pulled off and stuck in the mouth. Consider using safety outlets that prevent foreign objects from being inserted. You can also block outlets with the creative arrangement of furniture.

2. If you're temporarily using extension cords, hide them behind furniture or use a hide-a-cord device. You can also put electrical tape over unused plug holes on cords.

3. Put electrical devices such as computers on a shelf out of reach, or behind a barrier.

4. Store bathroom and kitchen electrical appliances – like hair dryers and toasters – out of reach of curious children.

For more information, please contact us at: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

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Safety Tips for Hotel Employees

The difference between hospitality industries and other industries is that in hotels there are guests that are untrained and unaware of Health and Safety, and that are difficult to control. That’s why it's important to put safety systems in place to protect not only the guests, but also the hotel employees.

Below are some safety tips to help you:

1. Prioritize Security
Every single member of staff should be aware of security, from the front desk personnel to the chefs in the kitchen. Here are a few simple but important practices to follow when it comes to hotel security:

Report suspicious behavior.
Don’t hand out room keys without someone providing ID.
Don’t give out guest information.
Make sure prohibited areas are well monitored so that guests don’t end up where they shouldn’t be.

Keep side exits locked, be vigilant at all times and you’ll minimize the chance of a problem arising.

2. Get to Know Everyone
Get to know the staff you work with. Even if you don’t know their names, make sure you know their faces. If someone new starts, take time to introduce yourself.

This will make it easier to spot anyone that shouldn’t be there, but you’ll also build strong relationships with other members of the team. Having a culture of trust and support means that everyone will be looking out for everyone else and will, therefore, be less likely to ignore a hazard that could end up causing a problem.

3. Check Visitor Credentials
Check the credentials of any people who come on site for work, which includes any builders, florists, temporary catering staff, and so forth. If you see a new face, check their credentials!
Make sure that all employees understand the protocol and that those who come on site know it as well.

4. Make Sure Doors are Locked
If you’re nipping out for a cigarette break or you’ve taken a delivery, always be aware of the doors you’ve left unlocked. It only takes one slip-up for someone who shouldn’t, to access the hotel.

5. Identify Hazards and Deal with Them
Health and safety are the responsibility of everyone that is working in the hotel. To ensure all guests, visitors and staff are safe at all times, encourage everyone to spot hazards and deal with them as quickly and effectively as possible.

6. Learn the Evacuation Plan
Evacuation plans are designed for each floor and for each scenario, so make sure that employees know all evacuation plans - stairways, elevators, escalators, and so forth - in order for them to help guests leave the hotel safely in the case of a fire or any other emergency.

7. Take Regular Breaks
Shifts at a hotel can be long and exhausting, so encourage all employees and co-workers to take regular breaks. A little stretch break or a snack can make all the difference to an employee's day. After all, tired or frustrated staff won’t perform as well as they can.

8. Know How to Use Equipment
Whether it’s appliances in the kitchen or even something as simple as a vacuum cleaner, make sure all staff are correctly trained on all the equipment they’ll be using. They should be able to spot faulty equipment immediately and make sure it is reported so that it can be fixed as soon as possible.

9. Keep Spills Mopped, Glass Swept and Debris Cleaned Away
For the safety of everyone at the hotel, any spills, glass or debris need to be cleaned up immediately in order to minimize hazards. Since slips, trips, and falls are the most common workplace accidents, it is important that spills are cleaned up immediately.

10. Wear the Appropriate Clothing, Especially Footwear
Slip-resistant, safe, and comfortable footwear is an absolute must for any hotel employee. Spending all day on your feet can take its toll if you aren’t wearing the appropriate footwear. They should be comfortable, durable and able to deal with anything your shift throws at you.

For more info, please contact us: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

Please follow us on Instagram and on TikTok 🙂

Have an awesome week everyone😊

Safety Tips for Rainy Weather

This winter more rainy days are in the forecast, so be extra mindful of your safety while walking, biking, or driving! Being alert of your surroundings and ongoing conditions will help you avoid
accidents and possible injury during the rainy season.

Safety when walking in wet weather:

1. Wear shoes that are comfortable and have good traction on the sole, with a large flat
surface area.

2. Walk at a slower pace and avoid making quick changes of direction.

3. When you are navigating through sidewalks and parking lots, keep your hands free as much as possible to help you maintain balance.

4. Walk on designated pathways and sidewalks and avoid taking shortcuts because they may be slippery.

5. Hold onto the handrail when making use of stairways.

6. When coming indoors after you have been in wet weather:

a. Wipe your shoes on a doormat so that you do not track water into the building. Be sure to let the manager know if you find that the doormats are all soaked.

b. Shake off excess water from your umbrella before entering a building and/or leave the umbrella in an umbrella stand if there is one available.

7. If you spot an area in the building that is slippery, inform the building manager or call the Building and Grounds Maintenance service immediately.

Safety when biking/driving in wet weather:

1. Drive/ride at a slower speed and leave a bigger gap between you and the vehicles/bike in front of you during wet road conditions.

2. When biking, be alert and avoid puddles and road debris wherever possible.

3. Make sure that you are highly visible:

a. Use your headlights when you are driving in wet weather conditions.

b. Use bike lights and wear high-visibility clothing when you are biking in wet weather.

*Also, be sure to avoid using your phone while you are on the move!

For more info, please do not hesitate to contact us at: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

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USE OF CHAINSAW SAFETY TIPS

Chainsaws are incredibly useful and great to work with, but they can also be fatally dangerous if used incorrectly or without the proper safety precautions. Whether a beginner or someone who needs a recap, make sure to read over our chainsaw safety tips as stated below:

Rules of Chainsaw Safety

1. Always use both hands when operating a chainsaw.

2. Wear the relevant protective clothing and equipment, which can include steel top cap boots, a hard hat, eye and ear protection, snug work gloves and chainsaw safety trousers or chaps.

3. Do not cut with the chainsaw’s kickback zone or let it come into contact with anything while the chain is moving.

4. Check the chain tension before beginning and tighten if necessary. The chain loosens with use and can cause serious injury if it comes off while in use. Note: new chains should be checked again after 20 minutes of use as they tend to stretch quicker at first. Check older chains after an hour of use.

5. Whenever you are not cutting something, use the chain brake.

6. When moving the chainsaw a short distance, hold it with your left hand by the front handle only to avoid accidental acceleration. When you are moving more than a few meters with the chainsaw in your hand, turn off the engine.

7. Do not cut until you’ve fully thought through the what if’s, e.g. if you are felling a tree, consider the different directions it could fall and ensure all possible outcomes will be safe.

8. Only use a chainsaw if it is in good condition with all safety features intact and a sharp chain.

Do not use a chainsaw if you are…

1. By yourself.
2. Sleepy or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
3. Standing on a ladder or unstable structure.
4. Cutting above the height of your shoulder.
5. In weather with strong gusts of wind.

Chainsaw usage and directions

1. Grip - wrap your thumbs and fingers around the handles with a firm, encircling grip that will prevent a serious accident in the event of any kickback.

2. Posture - stand with your feet shoulder-width apart in a comfortable and sturdy positioned to one side of the chainsaw, not directly behind it. Never squat down or overreach while cutting.

3. Practice - if you are a beginner, get a feel for the balance and power of the chainsaw by cutting light, dry branches before moving onto more difficult tasks.

4. Hitting the Wrong Materials - avoid any contact with the ground or any other non-wood materials. Always remove wire, nails, or screws from the wood you intend to cut before starting.

Safely Powering an Electric Chainsaw

1. Use an outdoor extension cord especially when using power tools.
2. Do not use if in a wet area.
3. Be very careful not to trip over the cord or cut through it.

Have a great week everyone and be safe🌹🌷

For more info, please contact us at: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

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LIBRARY SAFETY TIPS

Libraries, or any other public areas, have a high safety risk, because anyone is able to walk in and out, and the staff are not able to keep track of what everyone is doing. For example, people could smoke in parts of the library or in the toilets, which could lead to fires and as a result, loss of life. The staff are also under pressure for their service delivery and can get injured or be victims to long-term occupational diseases such as muscle pain.

Below are some Library safety tips:

What are the occupational risks when working in a library?

1. “Musculoskeletal disorders” or physical discomfort from standing too much, sitting too much, overreaching/arm-stretching or prolonged and close exposure to electric and magnetic fields from prolonged use of a computer keyboard.

2. Mental stress can generate from an overload of work, risk-taking and poor decision-making, boredom, lack of career advancement, fear of retirement and organizational climate and culture.

3. Emotional stress generates from smoking, control time pressure, verbal abuse, sexual harassment from fellow employees and the public, low employee morale and poor general working conditions.

4. The effects of the neglect of employees’ occupational health and safety will result in increased absenteeism or tardiness, accidents resulting in injuries, deaths or the development of chronic illnesses, low employee morale, poor performance at work, increased costs due to workdays lost and hidden costs due to manpower failure.

What safety measures should be put in place within a library?

1. All employees and institutions should be compliant to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (OHS).

2. Key staff should receive Health and Safety, Fire Fighting, and First Aid Training (especially in the assistance of a patron that had a serious event such as a heart attack, diabetic disorder, stroke, etc.).

3. Libraries should have fire extinguishers and water fire hose reels in every part of the building in case of a fire.

4. There should be a fire alarm installed on the premises.

5. Any ladders used for reaching books that are situated on higher shelves should be inspected for any defaults.

6. A First Aid kit should be available, and a sign should be placed to show its location.

7. Fire Drills should be done with staff at least twice every year. Emergency numbers should also be displayed in all areas. No smoking signs should be placed in every area.

8. Broken shelves, chairs, desks, tables, etc. should be repaired or replaced. The last thing a library wants is a lawsuit from a patron where the shelving fell on their child and injured him/her.

9. Books must be placed safely and neatly on the shelves to prevent them from falling on staff and patrons.

10. The building must be in a healthy state: emergency doors, lights and windows must all be in working condition, there should be no leaks from rain through the ceiling (this creates Mould which is harmful to humans when it dries), electrical plugs/cords/equipment should be in a good working state.

11. Inspection records of all health and safety activities must be on site.

For more info please do not hesitate to contact us at: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

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Typical Environeering work day 😊😊

HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS IN THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY

Safety tips for agricultural workers and employers are aimed at helping prevent injuries and illnesses. Each day, approximately 243 agricultural workers suffer lost-time injuries, with 5% of these resulting in permanent impairments. The following 2 hazards are among the top injuries that occur within the farming industry:

GRAIN BIN HAZARDS:

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), grain handling is a high-hazard industry, and workers can be exposed to risks such as fires and explosions, suffocation from engulfment and entrapment in grain bins, falls from heights, and crushing/amputation injuries from grain handling equipment. Moving grain can bury a worker in seconds. Grain dust explosions are also a high-risk element of working with grain. Grain dust is combustible and will burn or explode if exposed to an ignition source. Employees need proper induction training when working with grain bins. Suitable safety equipment and measures should be implemented to prevent these hazards from occurring.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY:

Regular electrical inspections are necessary to prevent accidents, because the equipment could be malfunctioning or old. Inspect all machinery and electrical equipment, including clearing outlets, lighting, electrical panels and equipment from obstructions or debris. Check that wires have not been affected by mice or other animals and carefully examine all connections. Partially destructed wires can cause electrical shorts and potentially fatal electrical hazards. Workers should be aware of the height of electrical lines and farm equipment, as many dump bed trucks, wagons, loaders and more can come into contact with electrical lines, causing fatal accidents.

MEDICALS:

It is the duty of the employer to make sure that their workers are not negatively affected due to the processes of agriculture. It is recommended that all workers exposed to chemicals, especially pesticides, should undergo a once a year medical to determine their health status. This will prevent possible long-term poisoning, as well as pick up on first stages or symptoms of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, etc.

For more info, please contact us at: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]

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Have a lovely week everyone☺️

HAND AND POWER TOOL SAFETY TIPS

Where would we be without our tools and gadgets? Regardless of the type of project, hand and power tools are routine in any construction work zone. They are also frequently disregarded as safety hazards. Hand tools and power tools present a host of potential hazards such as flying objects, electrical shock, falling objects, punctures and lacerations.

Here are 10 quick and easy tips for working safely with hand and power tools:

1. Inspect your tools
Never issue or use a damaged or defective hand or power tool. Always make sure they are in good working order before and after each use.

2. Pick the right tool
Make sure you are using the correct tool for the task at hand. This also means using the right sized bits, blades and accessories on your power tools.

3. Wear your PPE
Issue personal protective equipment to your employees and make sure they wear them properly. This comprises items like safety goggles, hard hats, etc.

4. Don’t alter your tools
Never remove guards or disable safety devices on power tools. Don’t paint or cover up your tools as this could prevent you from noticing chips or cracks.

5. Handle with care
Tools are not toys. Never throw or toss a tool in the direction of or directly to a coworker. Never use electrical cords to lower or lift a tool to get it to a workspace.

6. Keep your distance
When working with hand and power tools be sure you have enough room to safely operate them without coming into contact with other objects or coworkers.

7. Pick up after yourself
Don’t leave idle hand tools lying around the job site. They can lead to tripping or accidentally knock someone’s head.

8. Unplug and disconnect
Don’t leave electric power tools plugged in when not in use, when making adjustments such as replacing blades and bits, or when loading fasteners.

9. Keep your workspace clean.
A cluttered floor can lead to accidental trips or falls which can be extremely dangerous when working with hand and power tools.

10. Get trained up
Make sure you and your employees are thoroughly trained on the proper use of hand and power tools required for the task at hand.

Environeering offers training on how to safely use hand and power tools among many other Health and Safety courses.

For more info, please contact us: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]